Chained Soldier
Chained Soldier, known in Japan as Mato Seihei no Slave, is a Japanese web manga series written by Takahiro and illustrated by. It has been serialized on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ online platform since January 2019.
The series is set in a near-future Japan where portals to a dangerous dimension, called Mato, have appeared across the country. In response, the government establishes the Mato Defense Force, a special military unit composed of superpowered women, to protect humankind and fight the dimension's inhabitants. The story follows Yuuki Wakura, a young man who accidentally wanders into Mato and is rescued by Kyouka Uzen, a top-ranking MDF officer.
An anime television series adaptation, animated by Seven Arcs, aired from January to March 2024. A second season, animated by Passione and Hayabusa Film, premiered in January 2026.
By June 2025, the manga had over 5.5 million copies in circulation.
Plot
Several decades ago, mysterious gates opened across Japan, leading to an alternate dimension known as "Mato". Two notable things were discovered within: malicious creatures known as "Shuuki", who are hostile towards humans, and Peaches, which grant superhuman powers to those who eat them. Since only women can gain powers by eating peaches, gender inequality was eradicated and the world became matriarchal. To combat the Shuuki and establish a presence in Mato, the Japanese government took control of the portals and established the Mato Defense Force, a special paramilitary unit under the Japan Self-Defence Forces, tasked with protecting humanity and operating within the dimension.In 2020, high school senior Yuuki Wakura is set to graduate and enter the workforce when he accidentally wanders through an open portal into Mato and is attacked by a horde of Shuuki. Kyouka Uzen, commander of the Mato Defense Force's 7th Squad, rescues him, but they are both cornered by increasing numbers of Shuuki. Kyouka offers to place Yuuki under her power, so he can fight on her behalf as a combat slave so they can survive. After the battle, Kyouka is forced to reward Yuuki for his efforts fighting the Shuuki, which, in his case, involve kissing and intimate physical contact.
Recognizing Yuuki's potential, Kyouka offers him a job with their unit after he graduates. Eager to become a hero and avenge his missing older sister, Yuuki accepts. The story follows Yuuki's service in the Mato Defense Force as Kyouka's combat slave and base caretaker, while he explores Mato and discovers its mysteries.
Characters
Mato Defense Force
The service branch that operates within and handles all affairs related to Mato, under the jurisdiction of Japan's Ministry of Defense. It is divided into nine operational squadrons, numbered one to 10, and an away unit tasked with exploring Mato and harvesting peaches for consumption. Each squadron is based in an area of Mato based on the eight main compass points, with the exception of the 10th Squad, which is located in central Mato and serves as the force's headquarters.;Yuuki Wakura
;Kyouka Uzen
;Himari Azuma
;Shushu Suruga
;Nei Ōkawamura
;Tenka Izumo
;Yachiho Azuma
;Sahara Wakasa
;Ginna Bizen
;Ren Yamashiro
;Konomi Tatara
;Mira Kamiunten
;Bell Tsukiyono
;Yakumo Ezo
;Varvara Pilipenko
;Fubuki Azuma
;Riu Myouga
;Maia Azuma
Humanoid Shuuki
The Humanoid Shuuki are women who were victims of Mato disasters and were forced to eat peaches to survive the hostile environment. Due to the conditions of Mato, they underwent physical and mental changes, gaining powers and resembling Shuuki in the process. Despite their condition, most still retain vestiges of their original appearance and personalities. Their condition also enables them to command ordinary Shuuki and consume multiple peaches without adverse effects. Though initially hostile, they forged a truce with the MDF. Kyouka promised to change the organization's policies to help them once she became Supreme Commander.;Aoba Wakura
;Koko Zenibako
;Naon Yuno
Eight Gods of Thunder
Also known as the Hachiraishin, they are a group who rule Mato and control the Shuuki. They serve as the overarching enemies of the MDF, and humanity in general. Their main goal is to bring ruin to the human world, as retribution for them invading Mato and harvesting its Peaches without their approval. Each member is incredibly powerful, requiring multiple MDF members to engage them on equal footing in combat. Of the eight Gods, only five are still active. Three of them have been defeated in battle by the MDF, with their physical bodies destroyed, and their spirits living on inside Yuuki Wakura due to him ingesting parts of them.;Rairen
;Shikoku
;Joryuu
;Kuusetsu
;Fukuma
Media
Manga
Written by Takahiro and illustrated by, Chained Soldier began on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ online platform on January 5, 2019. Shueisha has collected its chapters into individual volumes. The first volume was released on March 4, 2019. As of January 5, 2026, 20 volumes have been released.The manga has been licensed for English release in North America by Yen Press.
Volumes
Anime
In November 2021, an anime television series adaptation was announced. It is produced by Seven Arcs and directed by Gorō Kuji, with Junji Nishimura serving as general director, Yasuhiro Nakanishi handling series composition, Ryota Kanō and Akira Kindaichi writing the scripts, Hiroyuki Yoshii designing the characters, and Kohta Yamamoto composing the music. The series was initially scheduled for 2023, but was later delayed, and eventually aired from January 4 to March 21, 2024, on AT-X and other networks. The opening theme song is "Yume no Ito", performed by Akari Kitō, while the ending theme song is "Chain", performed by Maaya Uchida.Sentai Filmworks licensed and streams the series uncensored on Hidive. In June 2024, an English dub for the series was announced, which premiered on Hidive on July 29 of the same year. Muse Communication licensed the series in Asia-Pacific.
A second season was announced on March 23, 2024, two days after the airing of the first season's final episode. It is animated by Passione and Hayabusa Film, and directed by Masafumi Tamura, with Keiya Nakano replacing Yoshii as character designer. The season premiered on January 8, 2026. The opening theme song is "Hikari yo, Boku ni", performed by Kitō, and the ending theme song is "Love Love Beam", performed by Uchida.